Chinese universities are not allowed to prevent poor students from getting enrolled and those break the rule will get punishment, according to an urgent circular from the Ministry of Education Tuesday.

According to the circular, the existing scholarship and bank loan systems in China can ensure poor students that have been admitted to common universities after an examination to get enrolled in them.

Universities are required to send materials on tuition subsidy policy together with matriculation notice to students, according to the circular.

University leaders should adopt certain measures to help the students who cannot afford to pay tuitions, with those refusing to admit poor students to get punishment, the circular indicated.

The Ministry of Finance should take out 10 percent of tuition revenue to raise the subsidies for poverty-stricken students.

(eastday.com July 23, 2003)